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Walking across the park in front of the hotel to do my shopping, I was smacked by a burst of yellow color that I hadn't noticed until just that moment. I had my camera with me and discovered floral treasures everywhere. It was fun to think again about the power we cannot see...how under all that snow, these beautiful flowers were rooted and moving and growing for just this moment. Maybe, just for me!
The wonders of technology allow me to stay in very good touch in ways that were never possible even 10 years ago. This week in Germany, I received an e-mail from our village committee de fête that outlines all of the special events in our village through the end of August 2010. I smiled when I opened it. I knew that some of my pals are new on the committee and it seems that the committee is doing more this year and getting very organized. I was thinking of all the events I've enjoyed in the past and what may lie ahead for me this summer and into the fall when I usually host the vernissage at the Chatette. One of my favorites that I will miss this year is the Repas de Chasse-when all the hunters offer a meal that they kill, cook and serve to the village. I took this shot of my friend Serge last year. Serge and Nicole live across the road from Jean, so we're always kiss-kissing and saying bonjour in the mornings when Dali and I are dropping by to see Jean and Rocky. If I could, I would raise a bottle of Pastis from here to my friends in Cadrieu. I celebrate the warmth in my heart with a tear in my eye because I have a place. I belong. Happy Saturday!
From time to time, I've written about moments when I have very strong feelings that I am about to do something that is "life-changing". That is when the moments become momentous.My decision to blog became momentous: "Blogging is going to change my life!" My life has grown so much through blogging. Out of this tiny seed of sharing and opening doors;connections, networks of kindred spirits, and friendships have grown. My friend Stuart used to tell me: "Another door will open." It has. In addition to the wonderful network of friends in Cadrieu, I have a whole network of friends and kindred spirits that I have met through the blog. There are those of us who love France, some of us especially Paris. Then, the appearance of my whole overalls gang totally shocked and surprised me. I am especially grateful today for each of you who have come into my life through this place. You have landed in my garden, much like my butterflies and we're very happy you came. Happy Friday!
Posting about missing my overalls yesterday brought me through many of the photos of our International Overalls Day celebration at the Chatette last November. Seeing all my friends enjoying themselves at our place, showed me once more how well I have built a life for us in Cadrieu. Greg has probably been in the best touch since I've been gone, but then he is checking on my mail and keeping me posted. I miss my friends. There is a small group of us here that gets together after work from time to time. Last night I mentioned in passing how much I missed my overalls, and how perfect they would be in the work with children-especially the pockets. Out of nowhere comes...you can't wear overalls, they are blue jeans, you can't, you can't, you...I was a little taken aback to say the least. My reaction might have been different under other circumstances, but this time all I did was look over and say: "I didn't say I was going to wear them, I just said I missed them. I don't even have any here with me!" And then I got another "You can't!" I had to smile to myself just a bit, let go, laugh and keep moving!
In the midst of all the professionalism these days, I continue on in my business attire. I know it's important, but the bottom line is that my overalls would sure come in handy and make life easier for me in many of my daily activities. It's all about the pockets! It's important to have my hands free to play (the work of children) and yet still keep a number of things on my person. I was wise in my planning and did pack many pieces of clothing with pockets, but I now see that I may need a little more variety and especially a few more pocket pieces. I began my hunt over the weekend and may have discovered a few bargains to add to the stash...along with a small rolling suitcase that will let me bring my additions back to the Chatette when it's time! Long live overalls-2010 is the Year of Overalls!
This shot was taken by my friend Helen Luscott at our International Overalls Day celebration at the Chatette last November. I laughed so hard, I swore to my parents I wasn't hauling in those meter long logs to the fireplace-caught in the act!
Growing up in St. Louis, there is a huge German community there. I'm not sure why, but many of the German families settled in St. Louis and married within the community for several generations. I may be a "Bourgeois", but the fact of the matter is my heritage is 75% German. I always loved this style of architecture when I saw it in St. Louis. Here in Stuttgart...it is everywhere!
Katja and I opened a very unassuming door on Saturday afternoon that led to this treasure trove in the Stuttgart Market. I was struck by how quickly and thoroughly we moved from Valentine's Day to Easter. I also found myself thinking-Kat would love this, Evelyn would love that, and my list went on and on as I moved from stall to stall and floor to floor with Katja. Had I been alone, I could have spent hours. But, we were on a mission at that point. I knew I would have to come back and will very soon.
Yesterday was my first real foray into Stuttgart proper and I couldn't have had a more incredible friend and guide to do the honors. Katja and I promised Constance pictures and voila! Here we are at the Kleinste Brauerei Stuttgart. Our beers were made right on site...light, refreshing and incredible. We had a typical German dish-that I can't spell or pronounce-kind of a pasta/dumpling pocket stuffed with ground meat and seasonings, topped with carmelized onions. We spent a lot of time laughing at my pronounciation attempts-I just hope I get the biggies right by the time I head back to France. It was so much fun to wander around in the sunshine and enjoy the squares with the big and little castles (Schloss), many angels on high, shopping, coffee, the market, and of course many, many photos. Katja and Constance haven't seen each other in 20 years, and Katja didn't know that Constance and I are friends through our blogs and email. We shared many interesting discoveries yesterday and plan to get together some more while I'm here. Once it got dark it began to drizzle and by the time we were returning to the parking garage we had full snow. I'll leave you with a few photos of our day of beer, promises and new friends. Happy Sunday!
Last weekend I went out and wandered around in the neighborhood near my hotel with my camera. This rooster all but cock-a doodle-dooed at me, so voila. He could almost escape the snow, but escaping my camera was impossible. He reminds me of a rooster who lives up high near the church in Faycelles. I'm finding many reminders of home on this trip. It is probably good that I'm so busy and there is a clear goal for me while I'm here, or there might be a few boo hoos from time to time. But, today I'm off for an afternoon with a local friend of a friend. I met Katja through Constance over at Rochambeau. It's incredible that I will meet Katja face to face before actually getting to meet Constance in that manner-how our worlds have changed! I think we're going to have to do something about that Constance! Happy Saturday everyone!
Working from my hotel room from time to time means getting my desk prettied up. The hotel provided us a beautiful pale green rose on our arrival, but that wasn't enough for me. My purple crocuses and deep orange roses really color us up and set us off. The photos of "us"-Dal and Sam and I-along with my sweet valentines from Kat...and I am home in my heart. When I came home from work the other day I had two envelopes waiting for me from Mom and Dad. I don't know what the hotel people are going to think about this crazy American getting all this mail! Everyone has been really nice. Monday evening they even offered a class for those of us who are going to be here long term. We got a little German, recipes, wine and beer information, sweet German collectibles, and some history of the area. Now it appears that there may even be a New Orleans contingent here-Mon Dieu!